Paul Gilmartin wrote:
On Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:15:57 -0800, Howard Rifkind wrote:
In fact I believe there really is a very good chance to see the need for
sysprogs disappear completely. Log into an IBM web site and download all the
updates, fixes, new operating systems etc.
And, taking an unbiased view, this would be bad
because ... what?
-- gil
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Let me tell you *I* personally think this is bad !
Anyone (and I mean - really pretty much *anyone*) can do the basics on
any modern system : Install the system, maintain it up to date, upgrade
to the next release, etc.. That's true for Windows, Linux, AIX and to a
lesser extent today for IBM i, z/OS or z/VM.. For the 'distributed' OSes
(the 1st category), anyone can acquire the skill set to do that in
probably a couple of weeks of training (and IMHO, AIX is the easiest !).
For the 2nd category, this may take a little while longer, but it's
still accessible (maybe a couple month or so..).
But being a "Systems Programmer", "Systems Administrator" or however you
call it is not *just* that ! That's really the tip of the proverbial
iceberg.
There are, to me, 2 more essential functions that are provided by this
category of personnel :
1st, you have the task to adjust the system environment to the actual
business need of the company. This will pretty much depend on several
factors, such as the type/brand/make of business software installed, the
requirements (and each being utterly different) of these applications.
Efforts are definitely being done in that field through stuff like ITIL
and ISO 20000 - Standards and recommendations that are making an effort
to standardize systems requirements in regard to the actual business
requirements.
2nd, you have the task to answer to whatever demand is made by the
company's Executive management staff. Ah! That one is really not so
clear cut. Here you have, with a mismatched assembly of people, some
with different goals and tactics - And remember - the actual CIO is
usually part of that team ! And in most cases, this management position
entails 2 contradictory requirements : lower costs while at the same
time ensure that both the 1st item is met while also ensuring business
continuity and diminishing the risk factor.
And *THAT* very second item is where an experimented "sysprog" comes
into play. Until someone develops an AI process that is capable of
reconciliating all the contradictory requirements of item #2, the
qualified, competend and experienced in-house (with understanding of a
company's philosophy) sysprogs are still the cheapest and most efficient
way for an IT department to manage a company's information technology
system.
--Ivan
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